A review by yelyahnaloj
The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists by Neil Strauss

4.0

I was recommended this book by my dad, as a warning of how men "really are". I was all prepared to hate the book, being sex repulsed already. I'd barely gotten past the beginning before I was already crying. Not a tiny trickle of tear, I mean sobbing. The story started with an emotional breakdown by one of the pickup artists. As I read further in the book, I realized this book wasn't just about heartless monsters manipulating women as I thought it would be, it was about people overcompensating for the lack of love and connection in their lives. People believing they could manipulate others into thinking they are desirable, worthy. In the end, the book was a cautionary tale. Sure, you can make yourself likable for a moment, but can you really make someone love you? The sad truth is that is only a choice the other person can make, and there is no quick tip to fix that. Although I am no where near a pick up artist, nor wanting to be one, I think most can relate to the desperation to be liked, sought after, and thought as interesting. As a parallel, I had humorously made up the term "acquaintance-zone" for the potential friends who were nice to my face and said we should hang out, but didn't return my calls or made any real effort. It is real easy to get bitter and complain that people are fake or stuck up. But truth is, as I said before, you can't make people love you, and it's ethically dubious to force your way into people's life. But occasionally you'll meet someone who would see through your bs and love you anyway. This book is also about an, albeit dysfunctional, friendship. I'd recommend this book as a read.